Visual signal for automobiles.



E- A. BOGERT.

VISUAL SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES. APPLICATION FILED DEC- 31. '9 8- l @QQQMU Patented Ap1a29, 1919.

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'UAL SIGNAL FUR AUTQFJIOBHIES.

Specification of Letters IPatent.

Patented Apr. 29, Milt).

Application filed December 31, 1913. Serial No. 269,084.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER A. Boenn'r, a citizen of the United States, residin at Montclair, in the county of Essex and tate of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Visual Signals for Automobiles; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention is an improvement in visual signals particularly designed for use on vehicles, such as automobiles, to indicate the direction in which the driver of the vehicle intends to turn, or when he intends to stop, and to do away with the necessity of thei driver using his arms to give such signa s.

The invention consists in the novel construction of a signal box bearing suitable legends, preferably Right, Left, and Stop, which are normall obscured but may be brought into prominence and visually displayed by illuminating them by means of electric lights controlled by push buttons conveniently located within reach of the driver, and preferably .upon the steering wheel of the vehicle.

The invention .consists in the novel construction of the signal device illustrated in the accompanying drawings and hereinafter described.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view of the signal box.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 33, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail diagrammatic view of the arrangement of signals and wiring for controlling the lights on a vehicle.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the means for fastening the plate 4:.

The signal box is preferably made of a wooden back 1, wooden sides 1, wooden top and bottom pieces 1", and intermediate transverse wooden partitions 1, parallel with the top and bottom pieces and dividing the interior of the box into three similar compartments A, B and C. These compartments are open at front but closed by a glass or transparentplate as hereinafter described.

The box is made of wood for the purpose of obtaining rigidity, lightness and economy, and it is preferably inclosed in a metal casing 2 adapted t fit snugly around the back, top and sides of the wooden box, and the top and bottom ieces' and one side member of this metal rame 2 project beyond the front edges of the wooden portion of the box as shown and are then bent inwardly to form a front frame, indicated at 2, which frame is adapted to retain a glass front plate 3 and a stencil plate 3 in the front of the box. This front plate 3 and stencil 3 may be inserted through an opening in the frame at one side of the box, which opening is clos-- able by a retainer 4 hereinafter referred to.

The glass front plate 3 is preferably formed in one piece and closes all the compartments, and is preferably stained a different color in front of each compartment so, for example and preferably, the glass in front of chamber A will be green, that in front of chamber B will be white and that in front of chamber C will be red. Against the inside of this glass plate 3 is placed a stencilplate 3 which is formed with suitable indicia cuttherein. Preferably the fill word Right is cut in this plate in position to come in front of the chamber A; the word Left in position to come in front of the chamber B, and the word Stop in position to come in front of the chamber C, as indicated in the drawings.

The glass 3 and stencil 3 are retained in position within the box by means of a retrainer plate 4, which is preferably made of sheet metal and has its front edge bent to form a flange 4 that corresponds in width with the sides of the frame 2; see Fig. 1', so as to present a neat appearance; and the main part of retainer 4 is"adapted to lie against the side of the metallic casing as indicated in Fig. 3, and is provided with a slot 4 that engages with a stub bolt l fastened to the adjacent side of the box 1 and projecting through the casing 2, and engaged by a thumb nut P by which the plate 4 can be securedv in position. Other suitable fastenings may be used to fasten the retainer 4 detachably in position and which will permit the insertion and removal of the glass 3 and stencil plate?) when desired.

Felt or rubber washers or liners may be inserted between the glass and the members of the frame 2, as indicated at 4*, and be tween the edges of the glass and sides and.

llllll top of the box, as indicated at 4:, to prevent rattling and injury to the lass by direct contact with metallic or 'har surfaces.

The stencil plate is opaque and as the chambers are closed on the rear and sides ordinarily the words on the stencil plate will not be readily discernible, but any one word that the driver wishes to show can be threaded body that passes through an opening in the back 1 of the box, at the back of the compartment, and has a similar slot in its outer end 6* which is adapted to engage with a plug 6 towhich the electric conductors are connected as usual; the electric-wires being arranged in a cable in the usual manner so as to create a circuit through the light when the proper electric connections are made.

Each compartment is also preferably pro-' vided with a reflector 8 which may be perforated for the passage of socket member 6 by which the reflector may be also secured in position; the reflector being bent in the compartment as shown in Fig. 3.

Electric current may be supplied from a generator, or from a battery, as indicated at 9 in Fig. 4. One pole of this battery may be connected by wires 7 to push button switches R, L, S of any suitable constuction preferably located upon the steering wheel W, as indicated in Fig. 4, when the invention is used on automobiles. The push button switches are respectively connected by wires 7 7 7' to the lights R, L, S respectively, and each of these lights is electricallyconnected by return wires 7 a to the battery 9; the circuit bein indicated in Fig. 4. The electric connections being well understood need no further explanation.

If desired signal lights R L S might be arranged in the circuits between the push buttons and the lights in the signal box.

When lights R,- U, S are used they are preferabl disposed at the front of the vehicle or w ere the driver could readily see them and thus know when the desired sig- I nal was displayed. ,If desired a bell, indicated at 10, might be interposedin the circuits.

The signal box may be attached to the vehicle in any suitable manner. As shown a bracket 11 is fastened to the underside of the box and adjustably connected to a similar' bracket 11' which may be fastened to any convenient part of the vehicle. The engaging faces of the brackets 11 and 11 may be serrated and may be adjustably attached by means of a thumb bolt 11 and nut 11".

All parts of the box are readily accessible, and it may be easily connected to a vehicle. It is very light and strong, and sound is deadened. The distinctive colors on the glass will attract attention andwhen a sign is illuminated it will be visible, either day or'night.

The bayonet joint connections of the electric lights to the sockets are more efficient than threaded connections; and'the lights are not disconnected by vibration of the box as the ordinary screw to be.

What I claim is:

A visual signal box for automobiles comprising a box having its back, top, bottom and side pieces made of wood, and intermediate wooden partitions dividing the box into compartments, each compartment being .open at front; a metal casing inclosing the box but open at front to form a metal frame around the front edges of the wooden box, said casing having an opening therein at one side of the box, a glass plate inserted through the openin into the frame and closing the front of the compartments, a distinctive signaling means for each compartment; illuminating means for the compartmentsya retainer closing the opening in the side of the box through which the plug lights are liable glass plate is inserted; and means for secur 

